l88 GARDEN AND FARM TOPICS. 



said that twice that area, or one-eighth part of an acre, 

 would be ample to supply a cow with food during the 

 entire season. 



The land used by Mr. Bronson for his experiment with 

 Alfalfa was identical with the thousands of acres in his 

 immediate vicinity, which was given over to the Blue 

 Palmetto and scrubby pines, through which the goat-like 

 cattle browse out a miserable existence. Mr. Bronson, 

 though only an amateur, is a careful observer, and an 

 enthusiastic student in everything that relates to agricul- 

 ture. In the culture of Alfalfa for* Florida and other 

 Southern latitudes, he advises that the crop be sown 

 early in the fall; early enough to attain a height of four 

 or five inches before growth is arrested by cold weather; 

 in Florida say from the ist to the i5th of October. 



The soil best suited for the growth of Alfalfa is that 

 which is deep and sandy; hence the soil of Florida and 

 many other portions of the cotton belt are eminently 

 fitted for it. The plant makes a tap root with few 

 laterals, and its roots are often found at a depth of six to 

 eight feet, thus drawing food from depths entirely be- 

 yond the action of drought or heat. When Alfalfa is to 

 be grown on a large scale, to get at the best results, the 

 ground chosen should be high and level, or, if not high, 

 such as is entirely free from under water. Drainage 

 must be as near perfect as possible, either naturally or 

 artificially. This, in fact, is a primary necessity for every 

 crop, unless it be such as is aquatic or sub-aquatic. 



Deep plowing, thorough harrowing and leveling with 

 that valuable implement, the "smoothing harrow," to 

 get a smooth and level surface, are the next operations. 

 This should be done, in the Southern States, from the 

 ist to the 2oth of October, or at such season in the fall 

 as would be soon enough to insure a growth of four or 



